Team Nigerian athletes to the on-going Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China have pulled out of the Competition Wednesday following what officials have described as the discrimination of the athletes who were quarantined, isolated and barred from training alongside other athletes of the World since arriving the competition venue.
The Youth Olympics is scheduled to hold in Nanjing, China from August 16 to August 18. And Team Nigeria were to participate in three sports – Athletics, Wrestling and Beach Volleyball, with twelve athletes
In a statement signed Wednesday by the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye Nigeria protested to the organisers that the treatment to the Nigerian athletes were inhuman.
The decision to withdraw Team Nigeria from the Games was taken after a meeting with Sports Minister, Dr Tammy Danagogo, Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, President, Engr Sani M. Ndanusa and the Director General of the National sports Commission, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye.
Though the officials have not reacted to Nigeria’s withdrawal of her athletes, the discrimination and subsequent quarantine of the athletes is believed to be connected to the Ebola virus that is ravaging part of West Africa.
The athletes and their officials have been directed to leave China and head home.
The first edition of the Games, officially known as Summer Youth Olympic Games, was held in Singapore in 2010. It is an international sports, education and cultural festival for teenagers under the age of 17.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) established the Youth Olympic Games in July 2007, essentially to help to identify budding talents for grooming ahead of the Olympic Games.
The first edition of the Games, officially known as Summer Youth Olympic Games, was held in Singapore in 2010.
It is an international sports, education and cultural festival for teenagers under the age of 17.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) established the Youth Olympic Games in July 2007, essentially to help to identify budding talents for grooming ahead of the Olympic Games.
